When a Faf du Plessis fielding blinder got the better of Parthiv Patel, the onus was on Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma and opener Lendl Simmons to get things back on track. That the duo did and how. Over the next half hour the leather ball was deposited to all parts of the ground as the Chennai Super Kings were made to chase leather owing to a stellar batting display from the Sharma-Simmons duo.

If Sharma showed class in placing the balls where he wanted to with perfection, it was Simmons with his carefree batting at the other end that continued the side’s dominance over the Super Kings’ bowling attack. For Simmons it was about riding on the confidence of his good show against the same opposition in the past. It is that confidence that the opener believes helped in getting his ‘A’ game to the fore on the most important day of the tournament.

While speaking about his knock, Simmons showered a lot of praise on his captain, who enjoys batting at the Eden Gardens more than anyone else. “Coming into this game I always knew that this ground has a great history and getting a good knock here would feel special,” Simmons said. “The past couple of times I played against CSK I had a good score and I was confident I would do well tonight.

Also, Rohit Sharma loves this ground and we were confident that he would score for us today. He always gets going in this ground and it was good to see him come off well tonight as well. Rohit is an excellent batsman, I love batting with him.

I love seeing his strokeplay. He was just asking me to back myself and look to bat all the way and not leave it to anyone else. I enjoyed my partnership thoroughly.

”That crucial partnership helped Mumbai Indians maintain a good scoring rate, but to do that after losing the first wicket in the very first over of the match was commendable. Simmons said he took the onus on himself to take charge after Parthiv Patel’s depature. “After losing Parthiv, I took it upon myself to go and take the attack to the opposition.

Normally it is Parthiv who is the aggressor in most games and I knew losing him early would be a minor setback. At the same time I became a lot stronger in my mind. I I didn’t want to leave it to anyone else.

” That he didn’t. He motored his way to a 45-ball 68 leaving the CSK bowlers looking for answers. This was not the first time that the opener had numbed the opposition this season with his willow, after all he ended up being Mumbai Indians’ top run-getter this season.

It is that opening slot that Simmons loves and it is his opening stands with Parthiv that Simmons was eager to throw light on. For Simmons it was a job well done this season. “I have enjoyed opening the batting for the Mumbai Indians thoroughly.

Even last year I was amongst the runs and this year as well I have had a good run. I have loved batting with Parthiv Patel this season and I believe we complement each other really well. When I haven’t scored, he has scored and when he has not got going, I have managed to put up a good show.

I believe we created a good platform for the side in the tournament and we have done our role well in the powerplay overs.”Simmons also lauded the team’s effort to comeback and win the title especially after a torrid start to the tournament. “We have played consistent cricket from the fifth game of the tournament and we just continued to build on it over the games to follow.

Hopefully we can maintain this form and carry this confidence in the next season as well. We would be hoping to start off well instead of having a rocky start next season. “Tonight was an outstanding batting display and I feel our bowling was class as well.

All the guys came into the party when it mattered the most. Personally, it is a good feeling to play my second IPL and bag my first IPL title. Winning is always a great feeling.

I was confident that we would end up winning the title.”.

Source: http://www.iplt20.com/news/2015/features/6951/we-played-for-each-other-mcclenaghan